"Grape Juice," Allen Welch

This is Allen Welch, known as "Buddy" to his family and friends, but was also known as “Grape Juice” to Albuquerque police officers that worked with him when he was a traffic officer.

Welch passed away of an apparent heart attack January 27, 2009, according to his brother in law, Kenny Santillanes, also a retired APD officer. Welch was 65.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

I first met Welch in 1970. He was riding motors at the time. I took this picture at a fatal motorcycle accident he was investigating. He was a short man and reminded some of the character the Robert Blake played in the movie of a few years later, “Electra-Glide in Blue.”

Welch was friendly and a good cop. I also covered him when he made traffic stop that aptly illustrated a problem of the time; tension between police and local Hispanic political activists known by the black berets they wore.

He will be missed.